In the Algarve you can enjoy the ocean all year round.

The Algarve is a great holiday destination during the autumn and winter months. No matter when you’re visiting this beautiful region of Portugal, you should never leave without enjoying the Atlantic ocean. Many watersports and boat tours in the Algarve can be enjoyed all year round - just choose a sunny day and dress accordingly to enjoy the Portuguese waters to the fullest!

To help you make the most of the Algarve’s breath-taking Atlantic coast, we’ve teamed up with SeaBookings, a specialist in the best watersports and boat tours in Portugal, to bring you their Top 5 autumn and winter watersports and boat tours in the Algarve. 

Dolphin watching in Lagos on Europe’s biggest rigid inflatable boat
Yes, this dolphin watching trip from Lagos takes place on Europe’s biggest rigid inflatable boat! It is a truly unique holiday experience for the whole family. On board this inflatable rib boat, you’ll really feel the excitement of searching for these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat.

Dolphin watching is a genuine adventure, as the dolphins are living in their natural environment and are not fed by humans. Thanks to experienced skippers, the success rate in finding dolphins is 95%. There’s always a small risk of not encountering any marine wildlife, but the boat trip is a great experience in itself. The rib is powerful, fast and a lot of fun, and there are some amazing sights to see along the way.

This dolphin watching boat trip from Lagos takes approximately 90 minutes and you can be sure that the memories will last forever!

Grotto tour to explore the famous rock formations of Ponta da Piedade
The grottoes and rock formations of the western Algarve are renowned worldwide. This boat trip is a must-do grotto tour which takes in Lagos’ spectacular rock formations.

This one-hour trip departs from Lagos Marina and travels to the caves of Ponta da Piedade. This is an unforgettable experience for the whole family, as well as a great opportunity to sunbathe, swim or simply lay back and enjoy the inspiring scenery.

Caves and dolphins boat tour from Albufeira
Like in Lagos, along the coast of Albufeira thousands of dolphins can be sighted every day. This excursion is the perfect combination of the two most popular things to do in Albufeira: cave boat tours and dolphin watching. This boat trip is a great way to enjoy the remarkable coastline in between Albufeira Marina and Carvoeiro beach to discover beautiful caves and rock formations.

On the return journey, the boat travels away from the coast to start your search for wild dolphins, which the experienced skippers almost always find. This two-hour trip is a real adventure, however, we can’t guarantee that you’ll see dolphins, since they are totally wild and not fed by humans. Your help is counted on to spot them though!

This trip is suitable for all ages and you can choose to take it on the stable and comfortable “Dreamer” boat or feel the adrenaline rush on our speedy inflatable boat “Insomnia”.

Stand-up paddle boarding to the marine cave of Benagil
If we're talking about caves in the Algarve, we have to mention the sea cave of Benagil. The Benagil cave is the largest and most impressive in Portugal and maybe even Europe. The best way to visit the cave is by boat, kayak or stand-up paddle. On colder days, the stand-up paddle tours include a wetsuit, so you won't have to worry about feeling chilly. Paddle boarding itself will keep you warm too!

We’re fans of stand-up paddle boarding, as this sport is easy to learn and is suitable for all ages and levels of experience. The stand-up paddle tour to the cave of Benagil takes about four hours and there are other fun stand-up paddle tours in the Algarve too!

Learn to surf on the perfect waves of Costa Vicentina
Surfing is a watersport that can actually be more fun during the winter in the Algarve than in the summer, as the waves are better at this time of the year. We recommend that you visit the west coast, also known as Costa Vicentina. Here you’ll find a true surfer's paradise, whatever your level of experience.

There are several surf day tours in the Algarve: you can take part in a surf day tour from  Armação de Pêra, where you'll jump into a surf van and be whisked away for a full day of surfing fun and true surf vibes. There are also several day surf trips from Lagos with everything included: pickup, board and wetsuit and surf lessons by qualified instructors.

There are many more ocean-based activities in the Algarve to choose from.
Take a look, compare and book them here.

We recommend that you book your boat trips and watersports in advance, in order to avoid disappointment.

Have fun and enjoy our beautiful Algarve!